Fellowship program administration

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the process by which learning, skills and experiences acquired outside the Fellowship Program are evaluated for the purpose of accrediting them for RANZCP training components.

Two types of RPL may be granted to trainees:

RPL after enrolment in the Fellowship Program (applications must be submitted within 6 months of enrolment)

RPL for overseas training during a break in training.

RPL after enrolment

In order to be eligible for RPL, any training, assessment (other than Scholarly Project) and/or work experience must have been completed within the past 8 years. An RPL application for a Scholarly Project must be based on a project completed or accepted for publication within the past 10 years.

RPL applications must be submitted no more than 6 months after the trainee commences training in the 2012 Fellowship Program.

Overseas training

Trainees seeking to gain RPL for overseas training whilst on a break in training must:

apply for an approved break in training

apply for in-principle approval of the overseas training before commencing (i.e. prospective approval)

Part-time training

Training may be undertaken on a part-time basis. Typically, part-time training must amount to a minimum of 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) training in order to be accredited under the RANZCP Fellowship Regulations 2012.

Half-time fees apply when training is completed at 0.5 FTE over the whole training year or when less than 6 months of training is to be completed.

Break in training (approved interruption to training)

Trainees may interrupt their training at any time. A break in training is a period of interrupted training that has been approved by the relevant committee.

Trainees on an approved break in training for the entire training year must pay the annual break-in-training fee to maintain their training record. Half-time fees apply when only one semester/rotation (or less than 6 months training) is to be completed over the whole training year.

While on a break in training, trainees are able to undertake the following:

written exams (both MCQ exam and Essay-style exam)

OSCE

Scholarly Project (with appropriate supervision)

Psychotherapy Written Case (write-up and submission only).

Trainees on a break in training are not able to undertake:

Psychotherapy Written Case (the psychotherapy)

a rotation-based targeted learning program.

Breaks in training may have implications under the Failure to Progress Policy. Trainees can take 5 calendar years (cumulative) of breaks in training before being required to show cause to the Committee for Training (CFT) as to why they should remain in the Fellowship Program. Applications for breaks of longer than 2 consecutive years require an outline of exceptional circumstances and will be reviewed by the CFT.

Targeted Learning

Targeted Learning is a process by which trainees who have not successfully passed RANZCP Fellowship Program requirements by the required deadlines and/or those who have failed multiple times are required to receive additional assistance, support and mentoring.

Staying on track: Making the most of targeted learning webinar is available on Learnit [member log-in required] hosted by Dr Shane Gill (Director of Training, South Australia) covers an overview of the updated policy, staying on track with rotations, progression and assessments, elements to include in a targeted learning plan and trainees' experiences of targeted learning.

Show Cause

Trainees who have not progressed through the Fellowship Program as outlined in the Progression through Training Policy and the Trainee Progress Trajectory will be required to show cause to the Committee for Training as to why they should be able to continue towards Fellowship.

Application for trajectory adjustment

Trainees may submit an application to the Committee for Training (CFT) to adjust their individual training trajectory due to exceptional circumstances prior to approaching the deadlines as depicted on the Trainee Progress Trajectory [PDF; 77 KB]. Applications can be made at any point during training and should include:

the reason(s) for the application

a plan outlining the proposed course of action to complete the Fellowship requirements

any other relevant information (e.g. medical certificate, references, statements showing how trainee has progressed to date)

correspondence from the supervisor/Director of Training (DOT)/Branch Training Committee (BTC); if the trainee does not wish to seek DOT/BTC support, they should express their reasons in the application.

Any applications for individual consideration will be considered by the CFT on a case by case basis. Please refer to the Failure to Progress Policy more information.